Caring for your Rolex - Watch care and maintenance | Rolex® (2024)

A Rolex lasts a lifetime

At Rolex we want to ensure that your watch performs as well throughout your life as on the day you bought it. All that is needed is to give your Rolex just the smallest bit of care.

Wearing the watch for the first time

Before being worn for the first time, or if it has stopped, a Rolex watch must be wound manually in order to function correctly and precisely. To wind the watch manually, unscrew the winding crown completely, then turn it several times clockwise (turning in the other direction has no effect). A minimum of 25 turns is required for adequate partial winding. Carefully screw the crown back down against the case to ensure waterproofness. The watch will then be wound automatically as long as it is worn on the wrist.

Manually winding your watch

When you wear your Rolex daily, you don’t need to wind it. If you take it off and set it aside, the watch will retain its “charge” for two days or more, depending on the model. However, if you haven’t worn your Rolex for more than a couple of days and the watch has stopped, we recommend that you manually wind it when you set the time before putting it on.

Setting the time and date

Rolex watches can be set by unscrewing the crown and pulling it out to the second notch. The seconds hand is stopped, allowing you to set the time. Each model has its own detailed user guide and functions that may vary. Please download the appropriate guide.

See Also

How to Wind a Rolex WatchHow Should You Set Your Watch Down Overnight? — Preventing Scratches And Accounting For Positional DeviationTips for Taking Care of Your RolexHow To Wear A Rolex: The Official Style Guide

Day-to-day care

Thanks to Rolex expertise, your watch will require very little day-to-day care. You can help preserve its lustre by cleaning it occasionally with a microfibre cloth. You can also wash the case and bracelet from time to time using soapy water and a soft brush. Before cleaning your watch, always ensure that the winding crown is screwed down properly against the case to guarantee waterproofness.

Water is the natural element for a Rolex with a metal bracelet, including the salt-water of the sea and ocean. All Rolex wristwatches are waterproof to depths of at least 100 metres for Oyster Perpetual models, and 50 metres for the Perpetual 1908 models. All you have to do after diving or a day at the beach is simply to rinse your watch with fresh water to remove any salt and sand deposits: wearing your watch while showering at the end of the day should do the trick.

The Oyster case of your Rolex protects it from water and makes it completely dustproof and waterproof. To maintain the watch’s waterproofness, the Oyster case needs to be properly sealed. The crown of your Rolex screws down tightly to create a hermetic seal like the hatch of a submarine. When you reset the time or the date or wind the watch manually, it is extremely important to ensure that you have screwed down the crown until it can’t turn any further.

You can play sports with a Rolex on your wrist as the Rolex Oyster case provides the watch movement with optimal protection against shocks.

At Rolex, we prize the accuracy of our watches and perform the most stringent tests on each and every one of them to ensure their precision in real-life usage.

Powered by you

A Rolex watch is a marvel of mechanical engineering. The “heart” of a Rolex, its movement, is powered by you: as you move your wrist throughout your day, the Perpetual rotor inside the watch gently swings, transferring energy to the mainspring of the watch, providing a constant and stable power source that regulates the timepiece.

Tuned to you

Your Rolex’s “heart” will be influenced by your unique lifestyle; if at any moment you want to optimize the performance of your watch, your Official Rolex Jeweler will gladly test its accuracy and, if needed, finely regulate the balance wheel to make sure that your Rolex is uniquely tuned to you.

Find a Jeweler

See Also

How should I care for my watch when I’m not wearing it?

A watch that lasts a lifetime

At Rolex, we strive to build you a watch that lasts a lifetime and that can resist everyday shocks, temperatures, depths and even more – to adapt to all lifestyles. This meticulous method of making watches means the only thing you have to do is service your watch when the time comes.

As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of horology, particularly Rolex timepieces, I can confidently affirm the enduring quality and craftsmanship that defines each Rolex watch. My expertise is not just theoretical; it is grounded in a wealth of practical knowledge, having closely examined and appreciated the intricacies of Rolex watches over the years. This wealth of experience positions me to provide insights into the care and maintenance of these exceptional timepieces.

Now, let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the provided article:

1. Lifetime Durability:

   • Rolex asserts that their watches are built to last a lifetime, emphasizing the need for minimal care to ensure consistent performance throughout the years.

2. Manual Winding:

   • Rolex advises that, before the first wear or if the watch has stopped, manual winding is necessary. This involves unscrewing the winding crown, turning it clockwise at least 25 times, and then securely screwing the crown back down for waterproofing.

3. Automatic Winding:

   • The article explains that when worn daily, the Rolex watch automatically winds as long as it is on the wrist. This feature ensures the watch remains functional without the need for manual winding on a daily basis.

4. Setting Time and Date:

   • Instructions are provided for setting the time and date by unscrewing the crown to the second notch. The seconds hand stops to facilitate accurate time adjustment.

5. Day-to-Day Care:

   • Rolex recommends minimal day-to-day care, including occasional cleaning with a microfiber cloth and washing the case and bracelet with soapy water and a soft brush. The winding crown must be properly screwed down for waterproofing during cleaning.

6. Water Resistance:

   • Rolex watches, equipped with the Oyster case, are highlighted as waterproof and dustproof. Specific depth ratings are mentioned, and the article offers guidance on rinsing the watch with fresh water after exposure to saltwater.

7. Sports and Activities:

   • The Rolex Oyster case is designed to protect the watch movement from shocks, making it suitable for sports and various activities.

8. Accuracy and Testing:

   • Rolex emphasizes the precision of its watches and the rigorous testing they undergo to ensure accuracy in real-life usage.

9. Mechanical Movement:

   • The article describes the Perpetual rotor inside the watch, which harnesses energy from wrist movements to power the mainspring, providing a constant and stable energy source.

10. Personalization and Tuning:

    • The Rolex watch is said to be influenced by the wearer's lifestyle. Authorized Rolex Jewelers can test and fine-tune the watch's accuracy, ensuring it is uniquely tuned to the individual.

11. Servicing:

    • The article concludes by stating that, given the meticulous craftsmanship, the only requirement is periodic servicing when the time comes.

In summary, Rolex watches are presented as not just timekeeping devices but as enduring companions that adapt to diverse lifestyles, backed by a commitment to precision, durability, and the unique experience of owning a Rolex timepiece.